Creativity

[Tsuyoiko]

What is creativity? Do you consider yourself creative? Do you think creativity is something you're born with, or can you learn to be creative?

I'm interested in hearing other people's thoughts before I share my own

 

[nice gaijin]

I wrote a short piece about this a while back, quoted below:

Creativity is one of those things that is thought to be some sort of inherent trait that only some people are capable of innately tapping into. Has someone ever complimented a photo of yours by saying that you have "a good eye," or if you're an illustrator, do people say they wish they could draw like you? Did you know how to compose an image when you were 3, or was your first crayon sketch a masterpiece? You're lucky if people look at your latest project and are able to appreciate the amount of work you put it--forget about the years you spent developing your skills.

At some point in time, we've all taken an interest in something, and our passion fueled the hours we spent practicing. Some people 'grow out of' their passion or simply grew tired of it and moved on; others pursue their passion for a lifetime. Those of us that found our passion in creative endeavors must develop our skills and learn to be creative.

"Wait a second," you ask, "did you just say 'learn to be creative'?"

Yes, creativity is not some inherent trait that only a privileged few are privy to; everyone is creative to one degree or another, whether we are aware of it or not. Learning is just another word for development, discovery and the pursuit of understanding.

Creativity is a muscle. Some people like to exercise this muscle and get really good at flexing it. Others would prefer to hire people to do the heavy lifting. When people try and fail to do something creative, it's not because they lack the ability, but they simply aren't used to thinking creatively, or lack the technical skills to turn their thoughts into reality. In my last entry in this series, I defined design as "tangible creativity." Many people study design so they are better able to turn their creative thoughts into tangible work, whether it's a logo, a poster, a website, or an illustration. The list goes on and on.

That's not to devalue the work that creative people do: ours is a skill that takes passion, and years to develop. Not everyone is cut out to be a designer, just as not everyone has the passion or perseverance to become a brain surgeon, or a marine biologist, or a teacher.

People become better at what they are passionate about. What lights your fire?

 

[Seon-a Kim]

I'm creative when it comes to cyberstuffz and virtual artwork (people who know me longer here, will have noticed that in my avatars and signatures for example)

And born or learn? Hard to say for sure, cuz characteristics are usually made through time and a learning process, but then again if someone can't draw and wanna learn it, then no matter how hard they try, they sometimes still fail.

While many others will easily learn to expand their creativity through time by learning.

And there is also a slight difference still between being creative and actually being able to make something.

Someone with not much skillz can still be creative and someone with many skills can often lack to be creative.

So, hard to say...

 

[Tsuyoiko]

Creativity is a muscle

This is pretty much how I see it. I think creativity is something everyone has to some degree, some people have more than others, but everyone can develop what they have with dedication and hard work.

What about the particular area a person is creative in? What determines that? I enjoy decorating cakes and making jewellery, but I don't eat much cake or wear much jewellery, so where does that interest and ability come from?

 

[Half-n-Half]

I think creativity is the ability to make something that is meaningful or beautiful out of practically nothing. For example, being able to turn a canvas into a work of art. It could even be just making a Halloween costume out of old scrap clothes.

I am not very creative and can't really comment on the other points.

 

[nice gaijin]

I think creativity is the ability to make something that is meaningful or beautiful out of practically nothing.

I would tweak that phrase a bit to say "making something out of something else." Creativity can also just be the innovative use of an already existing object or tool. It's problem solving that can take place on many different levels.

 

[Kinsao]

I would tweak that phrase a bit to say "making something out of something else." Creativity can also just be the innovative use of an already existing object or tool. It's problem solving that can take place on many different levels.

Yeah, that's so true!

People sometimes think I'm creative because I studied art, and I can draw, but... I dunno. I think I can be creative in bursts. At times. Sometimes it's when I can be arsed to put my mind to it, and sometimes it's just at random times when things are just 'right' and stuff comes together... sometimes it's a quick flash of an idea, sometimes sustained effort...

I don't think arts are necessarily creative though; it depends how you approach them. Like music, for instance - you can play a musical instrument pretty well but not necessarily be 'creative', only if you write your own music or make a creative interpretation of someone else's piece.

 

[Gackt21]

some people are a natural when comes to the skills and others need help developing there skills. I consider myself creative, maybe more than others maybe not.

 

[Annubis]

creativity usually happens only when you allow yourself to accept life and do something. It is the ultimate release of inhabition.

creativity is not something you can always see. The root is "create". sometimes, it is a mere unexpected word. As a matter of fact... and maybe this comment belongs in a different thread, but KY is creative. Anything that is unique and original is creative.

A child's drawing... if the child is not copying any techniques from other kids... is creative. a scribble on the wall or the table while the teacher is talking, is creative...

who is the judge?

 

[Davey]

I enjoy creating things, especially when I was in highschool.

The latest thing I made was my own website: www.kobecityinfo.com . I wish I had more time to be creative with the things I like. I am pretty creative at work I think...

 

[Annubis]

Great website Dave!

 

[-Rudel-]

I've ventured into many things from Painting, Pastels, and plain ole Pencil drawings.

I've done my fair chair of plastic aircraft model kits, of which I've entered many contest and won awards for.

As I got older, I wondered my way in to digital art from wallpapers, signatures to taking pictures and photoshopping them. Also to include chaning textures for 3d models in games, mainly flight simulations. Such as my avatar.

These past few years, I've been playing my electric guitar covering other songs, and now just writing and playing my own.

I think I get most of my interest from my father though. Its just stuck in the blood..

My current job is Satellite technician for the U.S. Marines. After 7 1/2 years, and some college, I'm chaning my career to Computer Engineering or Game Design. I plan to attend Digi-Pen, which I must say, you gotta be really creative to go there, and do any of the such.

 

[Aurura]

I was at a bookstore last night and came by a section of various arts and crafts sets, guitar/piano lesson kits, sketch sets, even basic meditation and Bellydancing sets. There were a few things I considered trying out, but ultimately decided to wait before trying any of them. I consider myself diverse in creativity, but I don't seem to have the unction to complete the creative process if I don't have an ultimate goal for it.

One example is when I crocheted scarves for my sons and husband... I could have just been doing it for the simple pleasure of crocheting, but I'd end up quitting half-way in that instance. What got me to complete my project was the fact that these scarves would keep my family's necks warm in the winter, be in each of their favorite color and yarn texture, etc.

So creativity itself doesn't seem to be a hinderance for me, but without the "end goal", a lot of my efforts don't get completed.

Coincidentally, I've recently began the process of growing my first Bonsai tree...

 

[Kinsao]

I don't seem to have the unction to complete the creative process if I don't have an ultimate goal for it. [...] without the "end goal", a lot of my efforts don't get completed.

Oh yes, I understand what you are saying here! I am quite bad at motivating myself unless I have a strong goal. It doesn't always have to be a goal that makes sense to other people, but it has to be strong inside myself, even if it is just a drive to pursue a particular idea... the drive has to be strong enough. Sometimes I can partially have a 'drive', e.g. to make a tribute or pursue what I think is an interesting idea, but it doesn't always get off the ground unless there is a spark, and even if there is a spark there has to be the slow-burn to continue...

One exception is playing a musical instrument, which is why I think it is so relaxing for me, because for once I can be free from the constraints of goals and do something for no purpose... I am learning the piano and yes only playing other people's music, but I find some kind of freedom in the exercises, even for no 'purpose'...

 

[kendoka]

Creativity is when someone develops a thought or a product by adding, modifying or eliminating an element either of a thought or out of a product.

Creativity is something that can be learned and can be shown if someone really believes in what is to be achieved and having the will and lastly the doing...